Birth: Born in Greenville, PA, August 27, 1944

Education:

• Graduate of Greenville High School, 1962
• Graduate of United States Military Academy, West Point, 1966
• Graduate and undergraduate hours at Duquesne University, Slippery Rock State College, East Stroudsburg State College and Geneva College
• Teaching certificate in Math and Social Studies

Activities:

• Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion, 1962
• Two-time National Place winner—West Point
• Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Champion—West Point
• Two-time NCAA University All American, Division One-West Point

Professional:

• Two tours of duty in Vietnam
• Social Studies Teacher - Greenville High School
• Head wrestling coach - Greenville High School (coached 3 State Champions including Greenville’s first two time state champion)
• Member PA House of Representatives, 1983-1990
• Member PA Senate, 1991-present
• Majority Caucus Secretary, 2000-present
• PA State Chairman for American Legislative Exchange Council, 1988-1998
• Served on Governor Ridge’s selection committee for the Adjutant General of the PA National Guard
• Senate Republican Policy Committee Chairman (1997-2001)
• Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman (1997-2001)
• Local Government Commission Chairman (1995-2001)
• Senate Local Government Committee Chairman (1993-1997)
• Senate Game and Fisheries Chairman (1991-1993)

Affiliations:

• First United Methodist Church
• Chambers of Commerce
• PA Farm Bureau
• PA Farmer’s Union
• Shenango Conservancy
• Executive Board member-French Creek Council-Boy Scouts of America
• Board of Directors-Stefan Banic Parachute Foundation
• Life member—101st Airborne Division Association
• Life member—American Legion Post 140
• Life member—Greenville Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3374
• NRA
• AMVETS
• Mercer County Vietnam Veterans Association
• Pennsylvania Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (Lt. Colonel)
• La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux
• Adelphic Lodge No 424
• Loyal Order of Moose—No 276
• Fraternal Order of Eagles No 805

Community Honors:

• Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor
• Mercer County Sports Hall of Fame inductee
• PA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame inductee
• National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee as Outstanding Pennsylvanian
• PA Wrestling Federation’s Man of the Year

Other Honors:

• American Legislative Exchange Council’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson Award “Outstanding Legislative Leader”
• Founder’s Award-PA State Assoc. of Township Supervisors
• Outstanding Legislator’s Awards-PA Assoc. of School Retirees
• Public Service Awards-PA League of Cities and Municipalities
• Distinguished Service Award—Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV Labor & Management Committee
• Distinguished Service Award—PA Municipal Authorities Assoc.
• Legislator of the Year Precision Manufacturing Institute
• Winslow Award-Meadville Area Industrial Commission
• Gilbert Love Award-for dedication to helping raise money for Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh
• Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award
• Small Business Administration's PA Veterans Advocate of the Year
• Inaugural Virgil S. Puskarich Award from the PA State of Association of Elected County Officials